The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of several players - as well as head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in England this season, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent exits of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill was injured early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard performance in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep at home endured by India in just a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming India's prospects of making the final of this season too.
After being third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to number five. Although nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches at home in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, the team look to be vulnerable on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them in the past.
While there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies following India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the team.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
